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IDC: Global wrist-worn device shipments fall 4.3% in the second quarter
Global wrist-worn device shipments decreased by 4.3% in Q2 2026, totaling 48.01 million units. Smartwatches fell by 4.2% to 37.08 million units, while fitness bands dropped 4.7% to 10.92 million. Huawei led the market, followed by Xiaomi and Apple. Future growth will hinge on manufacturers effectively leveraging AI and health monitoring to entice consumers to upgrade.
Key points
- Global wrist-worn device shipments decreased by 4.3% to 48.01 million units in Q2 2026.
- Smartwatch shipments declined by 4.2% to 37.08 million units.
- Fitness-band shipments fell 4.7% to 10.92 million units.
- Huawei ranked first in global wrist-worn shipments, followed by Xiaomi and Apple.
- IDC highlights that future growth depends on manufacturers enhancing AI, health monitoring, and introducing new device forms.
Why it matters
- The decline in wrist-worn devices reflects a broader trend in the wearable tech market facing saturation.
- Historical data shows growth spurts in wearable technology following significant technological enhancements like AI integration.
- As of 2025, manufacturers have increasingly acknowledged the importance of health monitoring and AI in consumer electronics.
The decline in wrist-worn device shipments signals a potential market saturation, emphasizing the need for innovation in AI and health monitoring to reignite consumer interest and drive future growth.